Character wanted - Tallawahs captain calls for strong showing ahead of CPL semi-final against TKR

Jamaica Tallawahs captain Rovman Powell says everything is in the balance as his team squares off with the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) in their semi-final match of the Caribbean Premier League today.

Both sides come into the final four with contrasting league results, with TKR having a perfect 10 from 10 record, while the Tallawahs were only able to garner three wins and suffered six losses plus one washed out game.

The two-time champions, Tallawahs, will enter today's contest as the underdogs, however, Powell says the slate is now clean, and it's the team which turns up on the day that will be victorious.

"Everything is in the balance, as the team has been gelling pretty good," he said. "The guys are optimistic as it regards to playing a semi-final in a big clash against the Knight Riders."

The Tallawahs come into today's semifinal with back-to-back losses in their final two games, however, Powell says the team has more than enough match winners who can change a game.

The big day

"There is a lot of character in the team and we have a lot of persons who want to be that guy on the big day and that is important when it comes to a semifinal," he said. "A lot of things haven't gone well and things haven't gone according to plan, but we have a lot of performers in the team and we are looking forward to the game."

It is still to be seen who the Tallawahs will put out in their final eleven, however, they will be keen to keep the tournament's leading run-scorer Glenn Phillips and Jermaine Blackwood at the top of the order.

Coach Floyd Reifer may also opt to keep faith with the out-of-form Chadwick Walton, while there could be a decision on the inclusion of Nkrumah Bonner and Asif Ali. All-rounder Andre Russell is set to undergo a late test to decide if he would be able to bowl despite his troublesome knee.

Much is also expected of the tournament's joint leading wicket-taker Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and his spin partner Sandeep Lamichhane, with the pair sharing 27 wickets between them.

TKR also have a selection conundrum on their hands as they consider the fitness of Sunil Narine and Colin Munro.

The Guyana Amazon Warriors and the St Lucia Zouks will face off in the other semifinal later in the afternoon.